EP0949628A2 - Portable compact disc storage container - Google Patents
Portable compact disc storage container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0949628A2 EP0949628A2 EP99650031A EP99650031A EP0949628A2 EP 0949628 A2 EP0949628 A2 EP 0949628A2 EP 99650031 A EP99650031 A EP 99650031A EP 99650031 A EP99650031 A EP 99650031A EP 0949628 A2 EP0949628 A2 EP 0949628A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- shell
- compact disc
- pin
- tab
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
- G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
- G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
- G11B33/0433—Multiple disc containers
- G11B33/0444—Multiple disc containers for discs without cartridge
Definitions
- Attachment tab 46 is fixed to the periphery of backing member 34 by, for example, heat welding, at a location preferably diametrically opposite to the location of grip layer 44 on backing member 34.
- Attachment tab 46 preferably has a frusto-pyramidal shape and has a pin orifice 48 centrally located therein.
- Slit 50 starting at the truncated apex of attachment tab 46, terminates at pin orifice 48 and has a width less than the diameter of the pins 15. Slit 50 thus defines the outer extent of the two arms 52 of attachment tab 46.
Landscapes
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to containers for holding electronic media storage devices, and more specifically, containers for holding compact discs that store digitized electronic data.
- Containers for holding electronic data storage devices, such as compact discs, are well known. However, the known containers are often excessively bulky. Additionally, known compact disc storage containers either store a plurality of compact discs such that each individual compact disc is difficult to access, or, if easy to access, is not sufficiently protected from scratching, pitting, or other damage that compromises the ability to recover the stored digital data.
- A need thus exists for a portable compact disc storage container that is compact and that stores a plurality of compact discs in a convenient-to-access, yet secure and protected manner.
- This need is met by the invention claimed in claim 1.
- An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the exterior shell of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment;
- FIGURE 2 is a top view of the exterior shell of the portable compact disc container of the present embodiment in the closed position;
- FIGURE 3 is an end view of the exterior shell of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment;
- FIGURE 4 is a top view of the exterior shell of the portable compact disc storage container in the open position;
- FIGURE 5 is an exposed side view of the exterior shell of the portable compact disc storage container in the open position;
- FIGURE 6 is a first top view of an interior envelope of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment;
- FIGURE 7 is a second top view of an interior envelope of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment holding a compact disc; and
- FIGURE 8 is a top view of the exterior shell and interior envelope of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment.
-
- Referring to FIGURES 1-8, a portable container for storing compact discs (which term is intended to include CD-ROMs, DVDs and similar disc-like digital storage media) includes an
exterior shell 2 containing a plurality ofinterior envelopes 4. As will be described in further detail below, theinterior envelopes 4 are removably attached to the interior ofexterior shell 4 and a separate compact disc is removably held within eachinterior envelope 4. Referring specifically to FIGURES 1-5,exterior shell 2 comprises twoshell halves shell half central portion 10. Preferably, the diameter ofcentral portion 10 is slightly greater than the diameter of the compact disc to be placed within interior envelopes withinexterior shell 2. Eachcentral portion 10 is bounded by anexterior wall 12 such that eachexterior wall 12 is located around the external periphery of most ofcentral portion 10. The height of the twoexterior walls 12 is selected to provide the desired internal volume ofexterior shell 2 to hold a predetermined number of compact discs therein. - Each
shell half pin base 14, which is an area that is raised relative to the respectivecentral portion 10 and projects outwardly from part of the periphery ofcentral portion 10.Pin base 14 comprises two substantially triangular portions and is bounded on its inside edge by the arcuate periphery of thecentral portion 10 and on its outside edge byexterior wall 12.Exterior wall 12 is substantially linear along the outside edge ofpin base 14. The circular configuration ofcentral portion 10, withpin base 14 located adjacent a part of the periphery ofcentral portion 10, and withexterior wall 12 bounding the circular periphery ofcentral portion 10 except at the location ofpin base 14 whereexterior wall 12 is substantially linear, results inshell halves Exterior shell 2 preferably comprises a synthetic polymer and is most preferably a type of plastic. Upstandingpins 15 are located on the triangular portions ofpin base 14. As shown, fourpins 15 are present, one each on each of the two triangular portions of eachpin base 14 of theshell halves pins 15 can be employed. Eachpin 15 includes ashaft 17 and ahead 19 having a diameter greater than that ofshaft 17. - The
shell halves hinge 16 at their edges to allow the shell halves to be closed one upon the other to enclose theenvelopes 4 within the shell or opened to allow access to the envelopes. Hinge 16 is an elongate member comprising acentral section 18 between twoexterior sections 20. Eachexterior section 20 is attached to theexterior wall 12 of a respective one of theshell halves exterior wall 12 is linear andbounds pin base 14. The thickness ofhinge 16 is less at the two lines of connection ofcentral section 18 toexterior sections 20 than is the thickness ofhinge 16 atcentral section 18 andexterior sections 20. Thus, opening and closing ofexterior shell 2 is facilitated by pivoting movement ofshell halves central section 18 toexterior sections 20 ofhinge 16. Hinge 16 is preferably comprised of a synthetic polymer, preferably a plastic material of the same type asshell halves exterior shell 2. - A
latch 24 is located onexterior shell 2 and is preferably diametrically opposed to the location ofhinge 16. More specifically,latch 24 comprises atab 26 on one ofshell halves rib 28 on the other ofshell halves Rib 28 is an elongate protrusion that is aligned to mate withslot 30 oftab 26.Rib 28 has a nub thereon that provides a snap fit withslot 30 oftab 26. As withshell halves hinge 16,latch 24 comprises a synthetic polymer, preferably a plastic, and the attachment oftab 26 toshell half tab 26. In this manner,tab 26 can pivot with respect to theshell half slot 30 oflatch 24 can removably engagerib 28 to clasp and unclasplatch 24. It should be noted that, preferably,exterior shell 2 is formed from an injection molding process wherebyshell halves latch 24 form a single, unitary construct. - Next, referring specifically to FIGURES 6 and 7,
interior envelope 4 is described in detail. As stated above, a plurality ofinterior envelopes 4 are removably insertable inexterior shell 2 of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment. Eachinterior envelope 4 comprises a substantiallycircular backing member 34 preferably comprised of a lightweight, flexible and sturdy material.Backing member 34 is sized to have an external diameter slightly greater than the compact disc or other electronic storage medium to be contained withininterior envelope 4.Interior envelope 4 also includes afore layer 36. Forelayer 36, comprising a thin yet strong synthetic polymer, is substantially semicircular, having an arcuateouter edge 38 that is affixed to the periphery ofbacking member 34 by stitching or heat welding, for example. Forelayer 36 also has aninner edge 40 that is sinusoidal in shape such thatfore layer 36 has two laterally disposedlobes 42 between which the center hole of a compact disc inserted ininterior envelope 4 is exposed and, therefore, accessible. Thus the user can insert and remove the compact disc frominterior envelope 4 by placing a thumb in the center hole of the compact disc such that the data access side of the compact disc is not handled, as will be explained further below. - A
grip layer 44 is affixed to the periphery ofbacking member 34 at a location preferably diametrically opposite to the orientation offore layer 36 onbacking member 34.Grip layer 44 preferably comprises a thin synthetic polymer layer having strength and flexibility, and has an outer edge which is fixed to the periphery ofbacking member 34 by stitching or heat welding, for example.Grip layer 44 preferably has a shape defined by its periphery being comprised of two complementary arcuate segments. To insert a compact disc ininterior envelope 4,interior envelope 4 is held in one of the user's hands and the compact disc is held in the other, with the user's thumb inserted in the center hole of the compact disc and the user's fingers grasping a portion of the outside edge of the compact disc. The compact disc is slipped betweenbacking member 34 andfore layer 36. The central depression offore layer 36 bounded bylobes 42 allows the user's thumb to remain in the center hole of the compact disc while the disc is fully inserted betweenbacking member 34 andfore layer 36 without the user's thumb contactingfore layer 36. Next, the user's thumb is removed from the center hole of the compact disc and the usergrasps grip layer 44 between thumb and forefinger. The grip layer is then placed over the edge of the compact disc that is opposite from the edge that has nested between thebacking member 34 andfore layer 36. The compact disc CD, Fig. 7, is now securely held withininterior envelope 4. - To remove the compact disc from
interior envelope 4, the above process is reversed. More specifically, thegrip layer 44 is grasped between thumb and forefinger and the grip layer is drawn away from the edge of the compact disc. Next, the user's thumb is inserted into the center hole of the compact disc and the user's fingers grasp the exterior edge of the compact disc remote fromfore layer 36. The compact disc is then drawn out ofbacking member 34 andfore layer 36. Alternatively, the compact disc is not drawn out of backingmember 34 andfore layer 36. Instead, the edge of the compact disc freed fromgrip layer 44 is inserted into the compact disc reading apparatus, which draws the remainder of the compact disc out from between backingmember 34 andfore layer 36. In this manner, the compact disc is not touched by the user's hands and thus remains free from dirt, body oils, and scratches. - An
attachment tab 46 is fixed to the periphery of backingmember 34 by, for example, heat welding, at a location preferably diametrically opposite to the location ofgrip layer 44 on backingmember 34.Attachment tab 46 preferably has a frusto-pyramidal shape and has apin orifice 48 centrally located therein.Slit 50, starting at the truncated apex ofattachment tab 46, terminates atpin orifice 48 and has a width less than the diameter of thepins 15.Slit 50 thus defines the outer extent of the twoarms 52 ofattachment tab 46.Attachment tab 46 preferably comprises a synthetic polymer, preferably a plastics, that is structurally rigid so that thetab 46 is normally retained on thepin 15 but has sufficient flexing qualities to allow relative movement betweenarms 52 for snap-fit attachment oftab 46 to, and snap-release removal oftab 46 from, one of thepins 15 ofexterior shell 2. More specifically, in order to access a compact disc in aninterior envelope 4 located inexterior shell 2 of the portable compact disc storage container of the present embodiment, the desiredinterior envelope 4 is first removed fromexterior shell 2 by pulling firmly oninterior envelope 4adjacent grip layer 44 thereof in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofpin 15. The aforesaid force causesarms 52 ofattachment tab 46 to separate, allowingpin 15 ofexterior shell 2 to pass through slit 50 ofattachment tab 46, thus separatinginterior envelope 4 fromexterior shell 2. The desired compact disc is then removed frominterior envelope 4 in the manner previously described above. - As stated above, when removing
interior envelope 4 fromexterior shell 2 by separatingattachment tab 46 frompin 15, a force substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofpin 15 is applied tointerior envelope 4. However, when replacing the now emptyinterior envelope 4 inexterior shell 2 for storage and safe keeping,attachment tab 46 is reattached to pin 15 by orientingpin orifice 48 overpin 15 and pressing downwardly onattachment tab 46 with a force parallel to the longitudinal axis ofpin 15 such thatarms 52 ofattachment tab 46 separate to accommodate passage ofpin orifice 48 overhead 19 ofpin 15, sincepin orifice 48 has a diameter smaller than that ofhead 19. Afterpin orifice 48 has passed overhead 19,arms 52 return to their original configuration due to the resilient qualities ofattachment tab 46 such thatpin orifice 48 surroundsshaft 17 ofpin 15,shaft 17 having a diameter less than that ofpin orifice 48. When a compact disc is to be replaced into an emptyinterior envelope 4, the emptyinterior envelope 4 is again pulled with a force perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofpin 15 as described above, in order to removeinterior envelope 4 fromexterior shell 2. - After the compact disc has been replaced in
interior envelope 4 in the manner described above,interior envelope 4, now containing the compact disc, is again attached toexterior shell 2 by pushingattachment tab 46 down ontopin 15 with a force substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofpin 15 such thatpin orifice 50 passes overhead 19 ofpin 15 and surroundsshaft 17 ofpin 15. - While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
- A portable container for storing compact discs, the container comprising an outer shell (2) containing a plurality of envelopes (4) each for holding a respective compact disc.
- A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer shell (2) comprises two shell halves (6, 8) which can be closed one upon the other to enclose the envelopes within the shell or opened to allow access to the envelopes.
- A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shell halves (6, 8) are hinged (16) together at their edges.
- A container as claimed in claim 3, further including a latch (24) for holding the shell halves (6, 8) closed.
- A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the envelopes (4) are releasably attached to the shell (2).
- A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one shell half (6, 8) includes an upstanding pin (15) which is disposed adjacent the inside periphery of the shell (2) when the latter is closed, and each envelope (4) has means (46) at its edge for releasable attachment to the pin (15).
- A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the releasable attachment means comprises a tab (46) having an orifice (48) therein for receiving the pin (15).
- A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tab (46) further has a slit (50) extending from the orifice (48) to the edge of the tab, the width of the slit (50) being less than the diameter of the pin (15) so that the tab (46) is normally retained on the pin but the tab being sufficiently flexible to allow the tab to be removed from the pin by the pin passing through the slit (50).
- A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shell halves (6, 8) are substantially circular.
- A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the envelopes (4) are substantially circular.
- A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein each envelope (4) comprises a substantially circular backing member (34) and a fore layer (36) partially covering the surface of the backing member, the fore layer (36) having an outer edge attached to the periphery of the backing member to form a pocket to receive a portion of a compact disc.
- A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the inner edge of the fore layer (36) is shaped to expose the centre hole of a compact disc in the pocket.
- A container as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the envelope (4) also includes a grip layer (44) partially covering the surface of the backing member (34), the grip layer (44) being spaced from the fore layer (36) and having an outer edge attached to the periphery of the backing member (34) to form a further pocket to receive another portion of the compact disc.
- A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the grip layer (44) is substantially diametrically opposite the fore layer (36).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US8111098P | 1998-04-08 | 1998-04-08 | |
US81110P | 1998-04-08 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0949628A2 true EP0949628A2 (en) | 1999-10-13 |
EP0949628A3 EP0949628A3 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
Family
ID=22162156
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99650031A Withdrawn EP0949628A3 (en) | 1998-04-08 | 1999-04-06 | Portable compact disc storage container |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP0949628A3 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1276114A3 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2003-03-12 | Church of Spiritual Technology | System for storing and transporting discs and accessory materials |
GB2387352A (en) * | 2002-02-07 | 2003-10-15 | Lepi China Ltd | Storage system for optical discs |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4778047A (en) * | 1987-09-10 | 1988-10-18 | Lay Ding T | Laser disc storage container |
US4838709A (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1989-06-13 | Guerriero Jean R | Portable case for computer information storage materials |
DE9116051U1 (en) * | 1991-12-24 | 1992-03-05 | B.W.M. Import und Export GmbH & Co Warenvertriebs-KG, 8480 Weiden | Container for compact disks |
DE29600288U1 (en) * | 1996-01-09 | 1996-03-21 | Wu Chen, Shu-Hsiang, Tan-Shui, Taipeh | Album-shaped device for the protected storage of compact CD discs |
GB2306304A (en) * | 1995-10-25 | 1997-05-07 | Toyo Kagaku Kk | Optical disc accommodation device |
US5826717A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1998-10-27 | Eskandry; Ezra D. | Compact disk case with stackable sleeves |
-
1999
- 1999-04-06 EP EP99650031A patent/EP0949628A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4778047A (en) * | 1987-09-10 | 1988-10-18 | Lay Ding T | Laser disc storage container |
US4838709A (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1989-06-13 | Guerriero Jean R | Portable case for computer information storage materials |
DE9116051U1 (en) * | 1991-12-24 | 1992-03-05 | B.W.M. Import und Export GmbH & Co Warenvertriebs-KG, 8480 Weiden | Container for compact disks |
GB2306304A (en) * | 1995-10-25 | 1997-05-07 | Toyo Kagaku Kk | Optical disc accommodation device |
DE29600288U1 (en) * | 1996-01-09 | 1996-03-21 | Wu Chen, Shu-Hsiang, Tan-Shui, Taipeh | Album-shaped device for the protected storage of compact CD discs |
US5826717A (en) * | 1997-07-31 | 1998-10-27 | Eskandry; Ezra D. | Compact disk case with stackable sleeves |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1276114A3 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2003-03-12 | Church of Spiritual Technology | System for storing and transporting discs and accessory materials |
GB2387352A (en) * | 2002-02-07 | 2003-10-15 | Lepi China Ltd | Storage system for optical discs |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0949628A3 (en) | 2001-05-30 |
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